How many ICers have learned self catheterization?

[ICNDonna]

I see many inquiries about ICers who suffer from retention and end up going to emergency rooms, etc., to be catheterized. I know many of us have learned this skill --- and I think it may be helpful to others to share our experiences.

I was taught to self catheterize after a surgery that caused me to be unable to urinate for several days. After a trip to my doctor's office in a great deal of pain, my uro's nurse showed me how.

I haven't cathed myself for a long time, but it gives me a feeling of confidence just knowing I can if I need to.

Donna

[Jinny Jean]

I agree, I find it easy, and reasurring that I can do it if I have to, which isnt often anymore, but it`s nice to know I have it in my closet if I need it! lol

[OllieR]

Yes! I do this a lot, unfortunately because I have severe retention issues. For me it was a must to learn since for awhile I was doing it every time I had to pee. Even if it's tricky at first, especially for girls, you get used to it. Now it's very easy for me.

I must say that trying to cath in a public bathroom can pose serious difficulties. I have to wait on the handicap stall so I can have enough room and light and have found several times people taking advantage of the stall, staying in there a long time. And it's just horrible when somebody leaves it a big mess which means I can't go because the risk of infection is too high!!! Ok, rant lol. Many ICers will probably not have to worry about this particular issue, at least I hope!

I do recommend ICers learn this! It's very helpful to know yourself, and is surprisingly very empowering to have your health in your hands. And it SUCKS having to wait at the ER when you have retention. I also use the trick for self-instill which saves me a ton on dr. visits. I recommend a small sized flo-cath, especially for those people who are sensitive. It's more expensive, but soooo worth it! It doesn't hurt as much as red rubbers I find. Definitely ask your doctor about ways to reduce your chances of infection too.

[coopsmom]

The Vitaman E cream that u use, did your dr. write u a script or did u just buy it otc? I get alot of burning when I cath.

[FunGirl]

How many ICers have learned self catheterization?




Good Question

I am going to Cleveland Clinic in the summer time

I am going to learn how to self- cathetize myself

I am Scaried out of my mind! On a scale 1-10. Its like a 20


1. Has Anyone been to Cleveland Clinic?


2. Do I get used to it? I am so so scaried its gonna hurt

3. Does it help with IC and pain?


Thanks Nat

[meagain]

Dr says I can't!

I've had more than one uro tell me I couldnt do this myself... After suggesting I learn how to do this, then they go to cath me and tell me I have a bend in there that , well, oh no I probably couldn't do that. I keep telling them I think I can.

[bjcov]

I'm doing instills at the docs office. He's only letting me do
Four and so far, no releif. I was hoping to see some improvement so I could learn to do it
Myself. I'm scared to learn too but everyone says that you do get used to it. My hats off to all of you that learn it.

[Rope_Wrench]

I was taught just before I was diagnosed with IC. I was changed from Vesicare to Tovias and it caused retention. I was given the option of a foley over the three day weekend or be taught to self cath. I went with the self cath. I know most have no issues with catheters but I can't handle them well at all. Everything thats goes in there causes INTENCE pain for me.

[krs72]

I've seen a few different uros. and they are/were all willing to teach me to self-cath. They realize that it's difficult to get to their office so often. I compare it to learning how to insert a tampon. It's not hard at all and I'm a wimp when it comes to medical stuff. I have to lie down just to get a blood test and I cannot look at the needle or I risk fainting. Anyway, the nurse practioner who taught me had me do it myself in her office. She held a mirror while she guided me through it and I figured it out. I find it's less uncomfortable than having someone else do it. And if you are afraid of infection you can always mix an antibiotic like gentamycin into the instillation.

I hate to say this but maybe there are other reasons the uro. doesn't want you to treat yourself. Mine would bill the insurance company between $250 and $300 every time I had an instill at the office.

[Mothergoose]

After have sooo many trips to the Er for retention, and having a horrenious expirence at a city ER, I was taught how to self cath.

I don't EVER want to be sitting in a ER waiting room again, being told before anyone even touched me, in agony that I had not gone long enough since my last void to be that full that I needed to be cathed.

When I finally got into my uro he said I needed to cath about 6x's per day, more if I need too.

It actually is much easier than you think it is going to be.

MG

[Rachel Foster]

I know this is an older posting, but i was recently taught to self cath by the local uro / gyn....i haven't been successful at it....i don't know if it has to do with the fact that i have a tight urethra, that i am in a flare and have been spasming or the fact that the catheter is too large? (french size 14) but after trying it for two days, i have irritation in my urethra, and i had blood the second morning when i wiped, that night i had a bit of blood on the catheter when i removed it....i inserted it slowly and drained a bit, but when i went to remove it, i felt my urethra resist, so i tried to relax, but when i pulled it out i had a bit of blood on the tip....i am not sure if i am just not doing it right, or what but it is very uncomfortable....i was standing with one foot on my toilet, and was trying to insert it as the nurse instructed me, (by the way, the nurse also told me it would not be necessary to clean myself prior to insertion, due to it being a simple in and out procedure) I am cleaning myself.... I am wanting to know how to do this, however, am nervous about causing trauma to my urethra....any suggestions from anyone who have learned to do this? How were you positioned when you inserted it? How long do you have to leave it inserted from the bladder to drain completely? I left it in for a minute, and a bit drained immediately, and a bit was left in the catheter itself, but it was like it just stopped....when i slowly tried to remove it, a bit more drained out, but the closer i got to exiting, the catheter tube itself still had urine in it, but nothing else flowed out...

[Rachel Foster]

[QUOTE=Rachel Foster;627983]I know this is an older posting, but i was recently taught to self cath by the local uro / gyn....i haven't been successful at it....i don't know if it has to do with the fact that i have a tight urethra, that i am in a flare and have been spasming or the fact that the catheter is too large? (french size 14) but after trying it for two days, i have irritation in my urethra, and i had blood the second morning when i wiped, that night i had a bit of blood on the catheter when i removed it....i inserted it slowly and drained a bit, but when i went to remove it, i felt my urethra resist, so i tried to relax, but when i pulled it out i had a bit of blood on the tip....i am not sure if i am just not doing it right, or what but it is very uncomfortable....i was standing with one foot on my toilet, and was trying to insert it as the nurse instructed me, (by the way, the nurse also told me it would not be necessary to clean myself prior to insertion, due to it being a simple in and out procedure) I am cleaning myself.... I am wanting to know how to do this, however, am nervous about causing trauma to my urethra....any suggestions from anyone who have learned to do this? How were you positioned when you inserted it? How long do you have to leave it inserted from the bladder to drain completely? I left it in for a minute, and a bit drained immediately, and a bit was left in the catheter itself, but it was like it just stopped....when i slowly tried to remove it, a bit more drained out, but the closer i got to exiting, the catheter tube itself still had urine in it, but nothing else flowed out...by the way, i am scheduled to see my main urologist in two weeks, the reason i am concerned with needing to know how to self cath is because over the last several days, i have noticed lesser and lesser urine output, and i know i should be peeing more than this! I will sit, deep breath, slow stream will start, continue for like 3 -8 seconds, then i have to strain to get more out,which i know i shouldnt be doing, but i am nervous. the local uro / gyn said to do it only in the mornings, after i have tried to pee, but sometimes i can't start, and i don't want to go around all day, waiting until the next morning to do it again....not sure if this is retention, or what, but it would be good to know how to do this....my flare is concerning me, because it makes you feel full all the time, but whenever i did cath, there wasn't much there, so i am nervous about what else could be going on....suggestions are appreciated, please and thank you I forgot to mention, i am currently taking macrobid because my gp found white blood cells in my urine....does macrobid make you have less output?

[Rachel Foster]

I also think i might have pelvic floor dysfunction, have noticed issues with straining for both peeing and having bms, even though the bms are not hard or solid...sorry if too much info, just nervous and counting down the days until i can see my specialist....12 left after today

[bobspez]

Hi Rachel,

I see no one responded to your questions about cathing so I will. I am a man but I think the principal is the same. I also use the 14 FR because for me the 12 tends to bend and not go all the way in as easily. For a man the cath is 14" long and goes in at least a foot before it enters the bladder. The way I learned was on the internet, there's instruction on the cath manufacturer sites. The cath I use is the Coloplast Speedicath which comes in a tube with sterile saline water in it. It has a special surface that stays slick in water, so it doesn't need any lube. The 14 Fr are also stiff enough so I can just hold the handle and insert it all the way without touching the cath at all. I capture my output so I can measure the volume. I use a disposible urinal, but any disposable cup or container will do. I empty my bladder as much as possible, then cath. Once the urine starts to flow I insert the cath another inch until then urine stops. Then I remove it slowly to let the remaining urine at the bottom of the bladder drain as the cath is removed. 50 ml (1-2/3 ounces) or less of retained urine after voiding and cathing is considered normal. If you have that amount or less you probably didn't need to cath. The last time I cathed due to a feeling of fullness and pressure on the bladder a week ago, I had 200 ml. Prior to my prostate reduction surgery I would have 400 ml. When I first went to the ER to be cathed they removed 1400 ml. That's when I learned to do it myself. I also usually get some blood in the cath.

[QUOTE=Rachel Foster;627985]

I know this is an older posting, but i was recently taught to self cath by the local uro / gyn....i haven't been successful at it....i don't know if it has to do with the fact that i have a tight urethra, that i am in a flare and have been spasming or the fact that the catheter is too large? (french size 14) but after trying it for two days, i have irritation in my urethra, and i had blood the second morning when i wiped, that night i had a bit of blood on the catheter when i removed it....i inserted it slowly and drained a bit, but when i went to remove it, i felt my urethra resist, so i tried to relax, but when i pulled it out i had a bit of blood on the tip....i am not sure if i am just not doing it right, or what but it is very uncomfortable....i was standing with one foot on my toilet, and was trying to insert it as the nurse instructed me, (by the way, the nurse also told me it would not be necessary to clean myself prior to insertion, due to it being a simple in and out procedure) I am cleaning myself.... I am wanting to know how to do this, however, am nervous about causing trauma to my urethra....any suggestions from anyone who have learned to do this? How were you positioned when you inserted it? How long do you have to leave it inserted from the bladder to drain completely? I left it in for a minute, and a bit drained immediately, and a bit was left in the catheter itself, but it was like it just stopped....when i slowly tried to remove it, a bit more drained out, but the closer i got to exiting, the catheter tube itself still had urine in it, but nothing else flowed out...by the way, i am scheduled to see my main urologist in two weeks, the reason i am concerned with needing to know how to self cath is because over the last several days, i have noticed lesser and lesser urine output, and i know i should be peeing more than this! I will sit, deep breath, slow stream will start, continue for like 3 -8 seconds, then i have to strain to get more out,which i know i shouldnt be doing, but i am nervous. the local uro / gyn said to do it only in the mornings, after i have tried to pee, but sometimes i can't start, and i don't want to go around all day, waiting until the next morning to do it again....not sure if this is retention, or what, but it would be good to know how to do this....my flare is concerning me, because it makes you feel full all the time, but whenever i did cath, there wasn't much there, so i am nervous about what else could be going on....suggestions are appreciated, please and thank you I forgot to mention, i am currently taking macrobid because my gp found white blood cells in my urine....does macrobid make you have less output?

[ICNDonna]

Rachel, If you haven't already, please talk with your doctor about another demonstration.

I prefer a flexible catheter over a straight one. If/when I need more catheters, I will ask my uro about trying the low friction ones.

I find that what works best for me is to place a large flashlight on the floor in front of the toilet stool, I then put a mirror on the seat where I can see, with the help of the flashlight, what I'm doing. I put one foot on the side of the toilet seat, then insert the catheter --- I'm right there so the urine drains into the toilet.

Some people find the bath tub is a good place to catheterize.

Don't give it up. You very likely just need a little more training. After you've done it a few times, it does get easier.


Donna